Low frequency converters having electrochemical capacitors
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsDonald S. Gardner, Pavan Kumar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment of the invention, a low frequency converter is described that includes a first electrochemical capacitor to charge to an input voltage and a second electrochemical capacitor that is coupled to the first electrochemical capacitor. The second electrochemical capacitor is associated with an output voltage of the low frequency converter. Each electrochemical capacitor may have a capacitance of at least one millifarad (mF) and a switching frequency that is less than one kilohertz.
Claims30
A circuit comprising:
- a first electrochemical capacitor to charge to an input voltage when coupled to an input voltage source with a switch;
- and
- a second electrochemical capacitor coupled to the first electrochemical capacitor, the second electrochemical capacitor is associated with an output voltage of the circuit.
A method of operating a switched capacitor circuit, comprising:
- providing an input voltage to charge a first electrochemical capacitor and a second electrochemical capacitor when the second electrochemical capacitor is coupled in series to the first electrochemical capacitor;
- and
- discharging the first and second electrochemical capacitors when the second electrochemical capacitor is coupled in parallel to the first electrochemical capacitor.
A power converter circuit comprising:
- an inductor to charge when coupled to an input voltage during a first state and to discharge during a second state;
- and
- a load coupled to the inductor, the load including at least one electrochemical capacitor coupled in parallel to a resistor.
A processor comprising:
- a converter circuit to provide a power supply to the processor, the converter circuit comprising,
- a first electrochemical capacitor to charge to an input voltage when coupled to an input voltage source;
- and
- a second electrochemical capacitor coupled to the first electrochemical capacitor, the second electrochemical capacitor is associated with an output voltage of the converter circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.